Cotton growers in the Moree Plains Shire have the opportunity to give their favourite local not-for-profit or community organisation a financial boost, with the renewal of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities (ACFGC) program.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Up to $150,000 is available in grants for projects to benefit local communities through the program, a partnership between the Crop Science division of Bayer and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).
The funding will be distributed among 30 grants of $5000.
The ACFGC grant program has awarded $900,000 in grants to more than 150 local community projects over the last six years. The program has funded vital community projects that have addressed rural mental health, early, primary and secondary education, the arts, infrastructure, nursing and healthcare, food, disability and emergency services.
READ ALSO:
Bayer marketing lead Kate Connors said the ACFGC program strengthens community resilience and positively impacts the wellbeing of cotton-growing communities across Australia.
"In 2019, we funded projects from a wide range of areas with funding going to artistic workshops, picnic areas, school gardens and community shows," she said.
"It's great to see cotton growers giving back and doing their bit to strengthen the local communities especially with the challenges the last season posed for the industry.
"We are again fortunate to work alongside our longstanding partner FRRR to support 30 projects that will provide real and lasting effects for communities in cotton growing areas. With the recent bushfires and ongoing drought continuing to put a strain on these rural towns and businesses, it is more important than ever to ensure not-for-profit and community organisations are supported.
"We invite anyone with a project they think could benefit their community to get on board and nominate. It's all about strengthening community spirit, addressing a need for more services, supporting volunteers and fostering vibrant Australian cotton growing communities."
FRRR's state programs manager Michelle Murphy-O'Kane said that it is important to keep funds flowing into these cotton-growing communities.
"Given the cumulative impacts of the drought, fires and now COVID-19, local groups are finding it particularly hard to raise the funds they need," she said.
"It's wonderful to be able to partner with Bayer Fund to offer these grants, which can have significant impact, and often be leveraged to attract additional funding.
"Grants like these are so important, especially in helping volunteer-run organisations address the priorities and needs of their communities. Each place will be different, and needs will vary - for some it's upgrading community infrastructure, for others it's offering educational programs for children, or providing access to health and well-being services."
Nominations for the 2020 grants round will be accepted online or by mail between July 2020 and August 31. For more information please visit www.aussiecottonfarmers.com.au. Successful recipients will be announced in November 2020.